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08 Aug 2009
Data released from Microsoft on the upgrade methods for Windows XP and Vista users makes it look as though users will have a tough time installing the new operating system.
A chart released to the Wall Street Journal shows that very few of the upgrade options open to users will be possible without serious changes. Most, in fact, will require the complete wiping of the hard drive and an installation from scratch.
The news is worrying for those businesses who have stuck with Windows XP and waited for Windows 7 rather than upgrading to Vista. IT managers face a heavy task in upgrading such systems as it will require massive data backup and clean installs on a huge number of machines.
Even Vista users will face a rocky road to upgrading. While some versions of Vista will be upgradable without a hard drive wipe this applies to Windows 7 Ultimate rather than the Professional and Home versions.
This suggests that Windows 7 may not have the smooth launch that many were expecting. While new computer purchases will be unaffected, corporate buy-in to Windows 7 could be hampered.
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Do you agree?
Um...
Firstly, it's no biggie. A lot of sales to personal users will be with new computers; upgraders (i.e. people who spend money on a new OS when the old one is still working) are likely to be more IT literate and therefore not too worried by doing a backup/clean install. Corporate users, I hope, already have backup routines in place that often equate to having data on a server, not individual, vulnerable, PCs. Retraining users is likely to be a much bigger investment in time and effort. Second, look at the chart again. Yes, there's a lot of blue and not much green, but hang on - much of the blue relates to switching between 32- and 64-bit OSes. I can see MS had to include the information but it's a bit misleading really. Certainly no-one with a 32-bit processor is going to be upgrading to a 64-bit OS and people with 64-bit Vista aren't very likely to cut themselves back down to a 3.25GB memory limit. Beyond that, XP is 2 versions ago now. Yes, many people still use it (we do, corporately) but you could never install an XP Service Pack onto Windows 98/ME and expect it to work, so expecting Vista SP3 to upgrade anything other than Vista is a long shot. Vista BargainBucket users probably aren't going upgrade geeks; above that version each Vista install can be migrated to the equivalent version of 7, or 'ultimate'. Finally, if it forces people to do a backup of their data, well hurrah. Where's the problem?
Posted by: Antony Hawkins 13 Aug 2009
Windows how many???
The thing that many of the respondents here forget is that Joe Public doesn't know anything about Windows 7 - or Vista come to that - and doesn't WANT to. As long as he/she can surf the web, write an e-mail or two and play about with pictures 95% of the public is happy. Windows XP does all of this with aplomb. Microsoft might convince you that the huge corporates might be demanding extra security, networking that actually works (which Vista doesn't) - but Joe Public couldn't care less.
Posted by: Dave Wilkinson 12 Aug 2009
So Sad!
This is so sad! When has Windoze ever been able to just upgrade from one objectionable system to the next? Why would anyone expect them to be any different now? Aside from those Qs, why would anyone not do a clean install to begin with anyway? Another pointless concern from a concerned journo who hasn't got a real point to make. If he really wanted to get down to the truth why not just admit that the upgrade path to Windoze 7 is no different to upgrading to Ubuntu, except that it's more likely to be successful, secure & reliable & probably costs a little less...no, much less.
Posted by: Rex Alfie Lee 11 Aug 2009
Big Deal Iain
Big Deal no one os forcing U to upgrade to Win 7 I am using it and it's the best product from Microsoft since win 3.11 Your comments are rocky Iain Thompson
Posted by: Roy 10 Aug 2009
So...
You mean all those Windows boxes will need to be re-bot'd? Ugh, that's going to be a real pain for all crime organizations. Might put a momentary dent in spam volume, too.
Posted by: EJ 10 Aug 2009
Not everyone is technical
There millions upon millions of PCs out there belonging to Joe Public. Unless the upgrade to Windows 7 is reasonably straightforward a VERY large proportion of those WON'T take the risk (and I don't blame them). That's a hell of a lot of upgrades that could/should have been sold and won't be.
Posted by: Robert Slipper 10 Aug 2009
Risky business
To upgrade is risky business. If you are going to move from one OS (giving Vista a lot of credit by calling it an OS) to another, you should do a clean install. You will be doing more work, but you are preventing many future headaches. It is actually very easy if you have the right processes in place as a business. If all users store their files centrally etc. From a home user perspective, you just backup all your files and settings (if you have to) and reload. Their is nothing like a good spring clean and a new OS is the perfect opportunity!
Posted by: Braam 08 Aug 2009